Lokesh comes a long way as youth leader

Telugu Desam Party’s (TDP) national general secretary, Nara Lokesh, conclude his ‘Yuva Galam’ padayatra on Monday, marking an impressive journey that has solidified his reputation as a dynamic youth leader in the State.
Over 226 days, Lokesh covered a formidable distance of 3,132 km, navigating through numerous districts in Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Commencing the padayatra in Kuppam on January 27, 2023, Lokesh defied initial scepticism, proving his capabilities as a leader committed to walking the talk.
Facing mockery from YSRCP leaders, Lokesh silenced critics by not only completing the extensive journey but also addressing hundreds of meetings along the way.
The padayatra spanned 11 combined districts, 97 Assembly constituencies, 232 mandals/municipalities, and 2,028 villages.
Despite initial governmental resistance to the padayatra, Lokesh garnered overwhelming support from the public, forcing authorities to grant permissions for crowd addresses. Lokesh’s bold allegations against YSRCP leaders, including Jagan Mohan Reddy, further fueled the discourse during the padayatra.
A senior TDP leader commended Lokesh’s extraordinary feat, walking 3,132 km in 226 days, predicting a promising future for the dynamic youth leader. The Yuva Galam Padayatra underscored Lokesh’s significant following among the youth, farmers, and women.
Undeterred by personal challenges, including the death of his cousin Tarakaratna, adverse weather conditions, and the arrest of his father, TDP national chief N Chandrababu Naidu, Lokesh exhibited tenacity throughout the walkathon.
Addressing over 70 public meetings, 155 interactive sessions, 12 special programmes, and eight Rachabanda programmes, Lokesh personally listened to the concerns of the people, garnering support through meaningful engagement. He received 4,353 memorandums urging the TDP to address various grievances.
Despite police cases against 40 ‘Yuva Galam’ volunteers and three cases against Lokesh himself, the determined leader persevered. The padayatra is set to conclude with a grand public meeting, featuring an address by Chandrababu Naidu, according to TDP sources.